Michael R. Cohen is president of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), a nonprofit organization that derives its reports from the USP-ISMP Medication Errors Reporting Program. To report medication errors, call the USP at 1-800-23-ERROR (233-7767). You can reach the ISMP at 215-947-7797 or via e-mail at ismpinfo@ismp.org.

An infectious-disease specialist prescribed Zostrix (capsaicin) cream, but didn't specify the strength, to treat postherpetic neuralgia in a patient who had herpes zoster infection. The pharmacist reading the order mistakenly entered Zovirax (acyclovir) instead of Zostrix in the computer. Zovirax cream is indicated for initial episodes of herpes genitalis and recurrent ...

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